Hey Lady Kelina, I think I remembered your name! Woo! Thanks Sno-Chan, me first vict--I mean reviewer. MTFBWY
II
Leia asks me what is wrong as we go to breakfast (conference) in the morning. "Nothing." I say. "Not now."
The close conference room is small but open with ornate windows and a dull fiery colored tile floor. We sit around a low table in the center; Queen Kelina and her handmaidens, a Gungan representative of the Naboo moon Ohma-D'un who still stall in sending a delegation to the Senate, and we the group from Coruscant. They speak of alliances, peacetime organization. Min Fsaid, Dressellian senator, speaks against the standardization of galaxy-wide education. "Master Skywalker." says the queen.
Then I stand, and still my voice to a timbre of confidence. So I begin, a bit surprised by the monarchy; "I'm not a Master yet. Not because of my experiences--and because there is no order of Jedi. I wish to return them, beginning with seeking Force-sensitive people and also a place of solace to train them. We will keep peace at behest of the Senate and Chief of State--"
Something clenches through me, something physical I think that translates to a pain that bends me, twists tenses, ennobles--then I have to move, lunge, leap. Voices are a haze. I feel someone touch me as I move toward them, and it is like clearing fog from my eyes. I am released into a hard chair across the table from mine, and the others are scattered, afraid.
"I'm sorry." I whisper. I look at their eyes after a moment. The queen's handmaidens have arranged themselves before Kelina with vibroknives in their hands, and Fsaid is fearful. Leia comes hurriedly to my side beside the Gungan who had caught my retreat, or attack, or spasm. "Hey," she says. "Why didn't you tell me something was wrong? Is it in the Force? If it's dangerous to this gathering...!" Her anger sobers me.
I pass a hand over my head, feeling alien. "It's just me. Something in the Force, yes...but I don't know what!"
The queen and Fsaid return to their seats like birds to a roost. The Noghri had halted in mid-leap across the table, and stay crouched there. I hadn't meant to frighten them--hate that sensation--but battle savoring it at the same time. What--
I breathe deeply and stand up, pulling Leia's professional mien around me as I did the same with my cloak. 'I'm sorry." Again I can not speak loudly. "Dismiss me for this session, please."
The queen nods. I squeeze Leia's hand and leave the room, through a small hallway. The Gungan a warrior I think, who halted my rush follows. I want to turn to him, but flick a distracted look to my reflection, from a mirror on a door. It almost surprises me, not my known face but the eyes. They are too kind, too soft and unfeeling, for my experiences. I scowl.
"Skywalker?" says the Gungan, who stands now holding a striped feather from his headdress.
I look up at him and judge his fighting prowess. Warrior indeed; there is wiry muscle at his bare, speckled arms, and he wears a loose tunic with armored-plated pants and a decorated staff at his back. He says, "You been having visions, Jedi Skywalker?"
"No."
"I have."
"Really. Can you, explain this?" The world is crisp with easy power; irritation.
"I don't know much about the Force, but I been seein' things beyond my eyes. Darkness comes, or never left, and waits for someone to understand it. Me, I thinks it found you."
I am astonished. Contradictions rise up, but I organize my thoughts in habit. "Yes. "I nod. "That makes sense. But what force, a person? You may be Force-sensitive. I found a way to test--"
He holds up a hand. "Wees-- we should talk of this later..."
I don't understand this reasoning, but nod.
"Part of our delegation is stayin' in the palace." He has an uncanny optimistic tone. "Ask for Lorti Rall, this evening, and someone will take you to a good meeting place. Yes?"
Again I nod. Lorti Rall rejoins his group.
